A Beginner's Guide to Japanese Haiku: Major Works by Japan's Best-Loved Poets - From Basho and Issa to Ryokan and Santoka, with Works by Six Women Poets (Free Online Audio)

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in learning more about haiku or Japanese poetry,and is a beautiful and inspiring collection of works by some of the greatest poets of the past and present.
This book is a comprehensive introduction to Japan's best-loved haiku poets, featuring 26 poets and 550 haiku, exquisitely translated by renowned author and translator William Scott Wilson. It takes the reader on a journey through the works of the major Japanese poets from the fifteenth century up to the present, including Basho, Shiki, Buson, and Issa (the Great Four). Wilson also shares the delightful work of a number of poets who are rarely found in English translation, such as six female poets and novelist Natsume Soseki. The book is divided into sections, each with a 2-4 page introduction to each poet, followed by a selection of that poet's haiku, in Japanese script and English translation. Online audio files are available with recordings of the poems in both English and Japanese.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 23 March 2023
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

An old pond; a frog jumps in: the sound of water

— Basho

This comprehensive introduction to Japan's most beloved haiku poets is the perfect book for anyone wanting to learn about haiku. Compiled and with commentary by renowned author and translator William Scott Wilson, the book features 26 poets and 550 haiku, exquisitely translated. Wilson takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the works of the major Japanese poets from the fifteenth century up to the present.

The poets include Basho, Shiki, Buson, and Issa (the Great Four) along with other well-known practitioners of the genre such as Ryokan, Kikaku, and Chora. Wilson gives his own brand-new renditions of poems that are already known as classics, and also shares with us the delightful work of a number of poets who are rarely found in English translation, such as six female poets including Chiyojo and Hisajo, as well as novelist Natsume Soseki, who, unbeknown to many, also wrote haiku.

The book is divided into sections, each starting with a 2-4 page introduction to each poet, followed by a selection of that poet's haiku, in Japanese script and English translation. Online audio files are available with recordings of the poems in both English and Japanese.

Weight: 369g
Dimension: 203 x 130 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9784805316870